Community Corner
Benedictine Visitor to Western Springs
A half-day retreat entitled "The Way of Love, Delight and Peace" to be offered at All Saints Church. All are welcome to hear Br. Abraham.
Brother Abraham Newsom, a Benedictine monk in St. Gregory’s Abbey of Three Rivers, Mich., will lead a quiet day Saturday, Nov. 15, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Western Springs. His subject is “The Way of Love, Delight and Peace.”
The church invites the community to the sessions which begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1:15 p.m. A light luncheon will be served at the church. An optional time for private conference and continued silence follows.
Those of all ages and religious affiliations are welcome. “Denominations are not important to us,” Brother Abraham said. “We love people, and just as at St. Gregory’s, we treat guests like they’re Jesus.” It is not necessary to attend all sessions. “We don’t want to waste people’s time, but we do believe the day will be helpful to a lot of people. We hope it will help in looking forward to Advent with a sense of calm and joy.”
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Brother Abraham stresses that he is not a psychologist ready to solve individual problems. “My life is working to help people find their spiritual place in the universe. It’s not about me. I am not discussing anything new, just something we may have forgotten.”
Brother Abraham has been a part of St. Gregory’s Abbey for 21 years. His “job” as a monk is to gather seven times a day with his community for corporate prayer. He accepts two engagements a year, which have taken him to New York, New England, the Southwest and other facilities in the Chicago area.
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Monks, he explained, make a lifelong vow to their community. They “shop around” noting that all monasteries are different. They will not be transferred, living out their time until they are buried on the grounds in their community. Some are ordained. Some, like Brother Abraham, are laymen. While he is an Episcopal monk, other Benedictines near St. Gregory’s are Catholic and Lutheran. There is also a residence for Benedictine nuns in the Three Rivers area.
Brother Abraham will preach at the Nov. 16 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Eucharist services and be guest speaker at the adult forum at 9:15 a.m. Area residents are welcome at both services as well as the forum.
Reservations for the quiet day may be made at the All Saints Church office (708-246-0030 or allsaintsws.org/adventretreat). A $15 donation is suggested.
